DMV adds online services for Rhode Island drivers

2/11/2014

DMV adds online services for Rhode Island drivers

CRANSTON - In its continuing effort to make doing transactions more convenient for Rhode Islanders, the state Division of Motor Vehicles has added two new online services to its website - "Check My Status" and "Change Your Address."

The new "Check My Status" capacity will allow Rhode Island drivers to learn if they have any outstanding financial obligations, and how to go about satisfying them in order to complete their DMV transaction. "Change Your Address" will provide drivers with the new option of completing an address change through the DMV website or mailing the change of their address to DMV.

To change an address online, go to the DMV website and enter the information requested, including driver's license number and registration numbers. DMV will update the information into the DMV database at no charge to the customer. Drivers should then just write their new address on the back of their license and on their registrations. If they want their new address to appear on their license and/or registrations, they should go to any DMV, or AAA branch if they are a member, and fill out the LI-1 form to do a license update and fill out the TR-1 form to do a registration update. These updates cost $6.50 each.

DMV Administrator Anthony Silva said he believes the ability to change an address online will help Rhode Islanders comply with state law, and will assist the DMV by keeping records up to date.

"Drivers often neglect the rule that they must change their address within 10 days of moving," said Silva. "Stale addresses can be the source of problems when we interface with state and local law enforcement agencies and our municipal partners regarding the taxation of motor vehicles. We hope Rhode Island drivers will use this service to minimize these problems in the future."

Another online tool, "Check My Status" will allow a Rhode Island driver to see if their license is valid before coming to DMV to do a transaction.

Said Silva, "Drivers must satisfy any financial obligations owed to the Division of Taxation, child support enforcement, municipal tax blocks or outstanding court fees before they are allowed to renew their license or registration," Silva noted. "Sometimes drivers travel to the DMV, but are unable to complete their transactions, and this service may avoid making a second trip to the DMV."